Adjunct Faculty
Adjunct faculty typically have an academic or research appointment at another institution and contribute or collaborate with one or more School of Medicine faculty members or programs.
Adjunct rank detailsMichael Mak
Assistant Professor AdjunctAbout
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Assistant Professor Adjunct
Biography
Dr. Mak's goal is to uncover the fundamental cell mechanics of cancer metastasis in order to provide insights towards novel anti-metastasis therapeutics. To achieve this, he is creating complementary experimental and computational platforms that can probe deeply into the multiscale mechanobiology of cancer cells. By exploring the biochemical and biomechanical signaling and feedback that regulate the mechanical state of cancer cells, such as their viscoelasticity and internal stresses, he will gain insights toward the factors and their mechanisms that lead to phenotypes that are conducive to invasive behavior. With his expertise in computational modeling of the mechanical properties of cells and developing experimental and microfluidic systems for studying cancer cell invasion dynamics, Dr. Mak seeks to overcome the hurdles of treating metastatic cancer.
Last Updated on March 06, 2025.
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Overview
Medical Research Interests
Neoplasm Metastasis
ORCID
0000-0001-6881-8130
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Frequent collaborators of Michael Mak's published research.
Publications Timeline
A big-picture view of Michael Mak's research output by year.
Research Interests
Research topics Michael Mak is interested in exploring.
Yibing Qyang, PhD
Barbara Ehrlich, PhD
Muhammad Riaz, PhD, MPhil
Christopher Anderson, BSc
Emma Kruglov
Hangqi Luo
32Publications
563Citations
Neoplasm Metastasis
Publications
2025
3D bioprinting of cell-laden constructs: technologies, bioink design, and biomedical applications
Xing Q, Liu Y, Thomas J, Zhang W, Riaz M, Mak M, Qyang Y. 3D bioprinting of cell-laden constructs: technologies, bioink design, and biomedical applications. Biomedical Materials 2025, 21: 012001. PMID: 41330064, DOI: 10.1088/1748-605x/ae2725.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsCell printingBioprinting of cell-laden constructsCapability of 3D printingCell-laden structuresCell-laden constructsHigh-resolution capabilityDecellularized extracellular matrixPrinting parametersBio-inkTissue-like functionsCartilage repairBioink designTissue fabricationPrinting factorsBiomedical applicationsSeed cellsVascular graftsSkin regenerationOrgan-on-chip modelsThree-dimensionalPrintingDelivery of live cellsInert scaffoldBioinkExtracellular matrixNanoparticle-mediated bone regeneration: From molecular mechanisms to clinical translation
Wang S, Zhai S, Wang B, Yan Y, Gong X, Liang Z, Medina G, Mak D, Caron J, Mak M. Nanoparticle-mediated bone regeneration: From molecular mechanisms to clinical translation. Journal Of Controlled Release 2025, 389: 114409. PMID: 41241012, DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2025.114409.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsReconstruction of critical-sized bone defectsLoad-bearing scaffoldsCritical-sized bone defectsPersistent clinical challengeTunable material propertiesControlled ion releasePatient-specific graftsLong-term safetyPro-healing phenotypeStem-cell fateOsteogenic outcomesTumor resectionMaterial propertiesReinforcing componentClinical challengeNanoscale interfacesImmune reprogrammingBioinspired nanoparticlesClinical translationGood Manufacturing PracticeSurface chemistryStimuli-responsiveClinical applicationBone regenerationNanoparticlesEpidermal stem cells control periderm injury repair via matrix-driven specialization of intercellular junctions
He H, Boraas L, Bell J, Gong X, Iannaccone S, Wen Z, Mak M, Carlson M, Sumigray K, Nicoli S. Epidermal stem cells control periderm injury repair via matrix-driven specialization of intercellular junctions. Nature Communications 2025, 16: 8967. PMID: 41073376, PMCID: PMC12514158, DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-64040-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsSuperficial epidermal cellsAdherens junctionsEpidermal stem cellsIntegrin-mediated adhesionExtracellular matrixRegulating adhesion moleculesRegions of collagenLaminin deficiencyIn vivoFin foldEpidermal cellsGenetic reductionDesmosome formationStem cellsWound healing capacitySpecialized junctionsCell contactJunctional specializationsIntercellular junctionsSkin-healing propertiesDesmosomesAdhesion moleculesHuman keratinocyte modelCellsLamininImpact of Mechanical and Architectural Signals in the Tumor Microenvironment on Melanoma
Khan Z, Rossello‐Martinez A, Mak M. Impact of Mechanical and Architectural Signals in the Tumor Microenvironment on Melanoma. Advanced Healthcare Materials 2025, 14: e01759. PMID: 40914820, DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202501759.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsDNA damageSolid mechanics simulationsPharmacological inhibition studiesSun-exposed melanomasActin polymerizationAcral melanomaHigh mechanical loadsTumor microenvironmentContractility inhibitorCollagen architectureCollagen hydrogelsCellular responsesDNADense tumor stromaMelanoma tumor microenvironmentMechanical loadingCellular morphologySingle cellsInhibition studiesLow sun exposureMechanical stressMechanical simulationsTherapeutic targetMicrofluidic platformMelanoma pathogenesisLZTR1 is a melanoma oncogene that promotes invasion and suppresses apoptosis
Bacchiocchi A, Mak M, Khan Z, Gong X, Sznol M, Na Z, Su H, Chan L, Yan Q, Zhao D, Mortlock R, Knight J, Slavoff S, Halaban R. LZTR1 is a melanoma oncogene that promotes invasion and suppresses apoptosis. Oncogene 2025, 44: 3974-3984. PMID: 40885854, PMCID: PMC12500468, DOI: 10.1038/s41388-025-03538-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAltmetricConceptsDegradation of ubiquitinated proteinsActin-related proteinsActin cytoskeleton organizationUbiquitin-proteasome systemSrc tyrosine kinaseAnchorage-independent growthNormal cell survivalCargo adapterActin organizationProximity biotinylationCytoskeleton organizationLC-MS/MS proteomicsLeucine zipperProteasome systemUbiquitinated proteinsCo-ImmunoprecipitationTargeting Pyk2Cell spreadingMelanoma cellsEnvironmental stressGrowth advantageMolecular characterizationCell migrationCell survivalLZTR1Monomethyl auristatin E and paclitaxel use different mechanisms to alter intracellular calcium signaling
Mendes G, Munshani S, Wachtler N, Wopfner H, Gong X, Sun Z, Mak M, Ehrlich B. Monomethyl auristatin E and paclitaxel use different mechanisms to alter intracellular calcium signaling. Biochemical Pharmacology 2025, 242: 117188. PMID: 40721011, PMCID: PMC12351507, DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2025.117188.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsMonomethyl auristatin EChemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathyAntibody-drug conjugatesInositol trisphosphate receptorCalcium signalingCytotoxic agents to cancer cellsAuristatin ECalcium homeostasisAgents to cancer cellsPatients' qualityNCS-1Neurotoxic effectsIntracellular calcium levelsIntracellular calcium signalingPatients' quality of lifeTargeted cancer therapyMicrotubule-targeting agentsLithium co-treatmentPTX treatmentTrisphosphate receptorChemotherapy toleranceClinical successNeuronal calcium sensor-1Peripheral neuropathyCalcium levelsAdvanced tissue-engineered pulsatile conduit using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes
Luo H, Anderson C, Li X, Lu Y, Hoareau M, Xing Q, Fooladi S, Liu Y, Xu Z, Park J, Fallon M, Thomas J, Gruber P, Elder R, Mak M, Riaz M, Campbell S, Qyang Y. Advanced tissue-engineered pulsatile conduit using human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Acta Biomaterialia 2025 PMID: 40582540, PMCID: PMC12338880, DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2025.06.055.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsSingle ventricle congenital heart defectsHuman induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytesPluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytesStem cell-derived cardiomyocytesCell-derived cardiomyocytesCongenital heart defectsHuman umbilical arteryUmbilical arteryHeart defectsPulmonary circulationDecellularized human umbilical arteriesHeart tissueLife-threatening defectsLife-threatening disorderLong-term complicationsEngineered Heart TissueFontan surgeryFunctioning ventriclePrompt treatmentHeart failureSpontaneous beatingPump functionImprove outcomesPressure generationConventional treatmentInstant assembly of collagen for tissue engineering and bioprinting
Gong X, Wen Z, Liang Z, Xiao H, Lee S, Rossello‐Martinez A, Xing Q, Wright T, Nguyen R, Mak M. Instant assembly of collagen for tissue engineering and bioprinting. Nature Materials 2025, 24: 1307-1318. PMID: 40481243, DOI: 10.1038/s41563-025-02241-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsCollagen bioinkElement methodBioprinting approachScaffold materialsTissue engineeringFabrication methodGelation kineticsCollagen constructsCells self-assembledUnmodified collagenBioprintingBiofabricationArchitectural cuesAssembly of collagenLiquid-gel transitionSelf-AssemblyRegenerative medicineEngineeringPH neutralizationBioinkMacro-andRapid assemblyCollagenous elementsAssemblyKineticsApplication of instant assembly of collagen to bioprint cardiac tissues
Xiao H, Liang Z, Gong X, Jordan S, Rossello-Martinez A, Gokhan I, Li X, Wen Z, Lee S, Campbell S, Qyang Y, Mak M. Application of instant assembly of collagen to bioprint cardiac tissues. APL Bioengineering 2025, 9: 026124. PMID: 40520649, PMCID: PMC12165719, DOI: 10.1063/5.0252746.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsTissue engineeringFabrication of biomimetic tissuesCardiac tissue engineeringSupport bathCollagen bioinkBioprinting techniquesBiomimetic tissuesBioprinting methodsEngineered tissuesFabrication techniquesImmediate gelationBioprintingComplex tissue geometriesPolydimethylsiloxaneStructural fidelityNutrient diffusionFabricationTissue geometryEngineeringDamaged heart tissueBioinkStructural supportCardiac modelsCardiac tissueTissue maturationAdaptation to Volumetric Compression Drives an Apoptosis-Resistant and Invasive Phenotype in Liver Cancer.
Gong X, Ogino N, Leite M, Zhang D, Chen Z, Nguyen R, Liu R, Kruglov E, Flores K, Cabral A, Moreira de M Mendes G, Ehrlich B, Mak M. Adaptation to Volumetric Compression Drives an Apoptosis-Resistant and Invasive Phenotype in Liver Cancer. Cancer Research 2025, 85: 3156-3175. PMID: 40387600, PMCID: PMC12354003, DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-24-0859.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsEpithelial-to-mesenchymal transition genesLiver cancerResistance to apoptosisCell state transitionsProliferation of tumor cellsYAP nuclear translocationCancer cell invasionIntracellular calcium signalingLiver cancer developmentTranscriptional dynamicsRac1 activationCellular protrusionsInhibiting Rac1Apoptosis-resistantTranscriptional changesInvasive phenotypeIntracellular calciumTumor cellsCell invasionNuclear translocationCancer developmentCalcium signalingTransition genesCancer cellsLiver-specific markers
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